->''"When I took the job, I braced myself for criticism, expecting many people -- [[ComplainingAboutShowsYouDontWatch without even watching the show]] -- to instantly label it girly, stupid, cheap, for babies or an evil corporate commercial. I encourage skeptics like this to watch ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' with an open mind. If I'm doing my job right, I think you'll be surprised."''-->—'''Creator/LaurenFaust'''

''My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'' is the latest show in the [[LongRunner long-running]] ''Franchise/MyLittlePony'' franchise and the flagship work of the franchise's [[Franchise/MyLittlePonyGeneration4 fourth generation]], incorporating self-aware humor, a more streamlined art style, and strong characterization.

The show starts with a two-parter, in which main character Twilight Sparkle, [[SociallyAwkwardHero an asocial bookworm pony]], comes out of her shell and bonds with five other ponies in order to use ThePowerOfFriendship to overcome a [[PropheciesAreAlwaysRight prophecy of doom]]. After saving the world with the [[TitleDrop magic of friendship]], the show takes on an episodic adventure-of-the-week format, where Twilight relays weekly reports to her mentor on how friendship helps her and her friends.

The first season was helmed by Creator/LaurenFaust, a highly accomplished, Emmy Award-nominated animator -- for example, she was the writer and director of ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' and ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends''. ''Friendship is Magic'' is her attempt to rescue the genre of girls' cartoons by presenting a clever show with a strong and diverse cast of female characters who aren't preoccupied with fashion and boys. Her goal was to create an intelligent show for girls that boys and grown-ups could also watch without wanting to shoot themselves. As the substantial PeripheryDemographic can attest, she seems to have succeeded. Following the end of the first season, Faust stepped down as the show's executive producer, but she continued to work with the show as a consulting producer through production of the second season.

Not to be confused with ''VideoGame/MyLittlePonyFriendshipGardens'', a Gen 2 PC Game. However, there is [[VideoGame/MyLittlePonyGameloft a video game]] based on the series.

----->''Dear Princess Celestia: Today I learned that teamwork is one of the finest values of friendship, especially when it comes to gathering these tropes.''-->''-- [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle]]''